To say that the Republican Party has made a hash of things since its mid-term election victories six months ago is an understatement, and it's clear that the series of self-inflicted disasters it has suffered since then stem from the mistaken notion that the victories were a mandate. They were no such thing. What the victories were was a stew of anger, resentment and … [Read more...] about Paul Ryan & The Republicans’ Cry Of Desperation
Quote of the Day: What the Controversy Revealed About Ed Schultz and Laura Ingraham
Our political Quote of the comes from The Nation's John Nichols who echoes what I wrote in my post yesterday about conservative talker Laura Ingraham accepting liberal talker Ed Schultz's apology for calling her a "right wing slut" -- which led to his one week suspension from his MSNBC show. Here's the first part of his piece and I've boldfaced the relevant … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: What the Controversy Revealed About Ed Schultz and Laura Ingraham
Regardless of ‘Belief,’ Climate Change is Real (Guest Voice)
Regardless of ‘Belief,’ Climate Change is Real by Tina Dupuy According to Oakland, California’s Harold Camping, the Rapture was supposed to hit American Samoa (the location of the International Dateline) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2011. Despite what all the billboards claimed, that would have been 11 p.m. PST on Friday for the west coast. And from there the Rapture was … [Read more...] about Regardless of ‘Belief,’ Climate Change is Real (Guest Voice)
Sarah Palin “Fire in My Belly” (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin “Fire in My Belly” (Cartoon)
Scarborough Fair
Are you going ? … [Read more...] about Scarborough Fair
The Great Stagnation
From a terrific Business Week profile of economist, academic, and blogger Tyler Cowen: The Great Stagnation runs through three centuries' worth of what Cowen calls the "low-hanging fruit" of economic growth: free land, technological breakthroughs, and smart kids waiting to be educated. For developed economies, he argues, none of these remains to be plucked. Yet America, … [Read more...] about The Great Stagnation
We HAVE Gotten the Message
Karl Rove thinks Republicans need a more "populist" narrative on Medicare (emphasis is mine): … [Read more...] about We HAVE Gotten the Message
Did U.S. ‘Frame’ Strauss-Kahn Over IMF Economic Forecasts? (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
Leave it to Beijing to raise the bar on Dominique Strauss-Kahn conspiracy theories. When a publication run by the Chinese government publishes an article like this, it's a sure sign that U.S.-China economic and political relations are in the midst of a very rough patch. Did the United States 'frame' Dominique Strauss-Kahn because of IMF forecasts of U.S. economic frailty and … [Read more...] about Did U.S. ‘Frame’ Strauss-Kahn Over IMF Economic Forecasts? (Huanqiu, People’s Republic of China)
This Memorial Day Weekend, Get Off the Beaten Path
Last fall we traveled throughout France, enjoying the beauty of her countryside, her idyllic villages and pastoral hamlets, her historic castles and abbeys, and the glitz of places like Cannes, Nice and St. Tropez. I could tell you all about it, but I am sure you’ve heard it all before. Instead, on this Memorial Day weekend, permit me to write a few words about a sight … [Read more...] about This Memorial Day Weekend, Get Off the Beaten Path
Reality Check for Paul Ryan and Palin: Their Move
In these Alice-in-Wonderland days, occasional signs of sanity emerge, such as the Democratic victory in a traditionally Republican upstate New York House district, fueled by voter worries about Medicare and a Tea Party candidate on the ballot drawing just enough votes to make the difference. This used to be known as shooting yourself in the foot, but that won’t deter John … [Read more...] about Reality Check for Paul Ryan and Palin: Their Move
The Aftermath of NY-26, Looking Ahead to 2012
A few quick hits as we all try to sort out the meaning of yesterday's Democratic victory in New York's heavily Republican 26th Congressional District: Politico: "Have Democrats cracked the code for 2012?" Nate Silver, NYT/538: "Six Months After Midterm Disaster, Hopeful Signs for Democrats." Steve Benen sums it up: "What we saw in Buffalo was a test -- how is the … [Read more...] about The Aftermath of NY-26, Looking Ahead to 2012
A Political Kiss of Death for Paul Ryan?
THIS STATEMENT of support from an admirer of Paul Ryan will not help him with many independent voters, moderate voters and will probably re-energize Democrats everywhere. … [Read more...] about A Political Kiss of Death for Paul Ryan?
The Corruption of the Gingriches
So you remember that huge no-interest revolving charge account Tiffany gave Newt Gingrich? Well, even with Tiffany's explanation and The Newt's dismissals, the story just doesn't make any sense. It's still not clear how it worked and why the Gingriches needed it (other than to buy lots of really, really expensive jewelry, though they surely have enough money of their own not to … [Read more...] about The Corruption of the Gingriches
Supreme Court Upholds “Legal Arizona Workers Act” (Chamber of Commerce v. Whiting)
This case has been closely watched by those involved on both sides of the illegal immigration debate. It involves an Arizona law known as the Legal Arizona Workers Act that requires employers to use E-Verify to ascertain the legal status of prospective employees and provides for sanctions, including revocation of state business licenses, for those who do not, and who … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Upholds “Legal Arizona Workers Act” (Chamber of Commerce v. Whiting)
Supreme Court Upholds Arizona Immigration Law (No Not That One)
The Supreme Court voted 5-3 to uphold an Arizona law which in effect shuts down businesses for hiring illegal immigrants. Justice Kagan did not participate, presumably because she had been US Solicitor General during the lower court reviews of the case. Those opposing the law said it was improper because of federal control over immigration law, but the Congress had included … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Upholds Arizona Immigration Law (No Not That One)
India Will Invest $5 Billion in Africa
India is Africa's second biggest trading partner after China -- and it's trying to play catch up with China in Africa. One way: it's announcing that it will give $5 billion in aid/investments in Africa. Details: pp Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com The Economist has a piece about India playing catch up. Here's the … [Read more...] about India Will Invest $5 Billion in Africa
WSJ On Taxes
An interesting article from the Wall Street Journal on the potential impact of tax increases. Obviously just as an article from a progressive web site would have a tilt, this one does too, but at the same time math is math. … [Read more...] about WSJ On Taxes
Still More Sarah Palin Birth Hoax Evidence?
Take a look at this photograph. A close look. As a layperson, does this look like a one-month premature baby less than 24 hours after its birth? Of course it doesn't, which is the view of a neonatologist. The baby is Trig Palin, who was being held in the arms of Sarah Palin's mother. If you're sick of the whole business of why Palin continues to be evasive about … [Read more...] about Still More Sarah Palin Birth Hoax Evidence?
Bill Clinton to Paul Ryan: Hochul Win No Excuse to Do Nothing
WASHINGTON - Nicely placed microphone, ABC. This is the stuff people love to hear. "So anyway, I told them before you got here, I said I’m glad we won this race in New York," Clinton told Ryan, when the two met backstage at a forum on the national debt held by the Pete Peterson Foundation. But he added, “I hope Democrats don't use this as an excuse to do nothing." - ABC … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton to Paul Ryan: Hochul Win No Excuse to Do Nothing
MSNBC’s Ed Schultz Suspended For a Week: Issues on the Air Apology for Calling Laura Ingraham “a Right Wing Slut” (VIDEO) UPDATED
And so America's talk show political culture rolls on with the latest ugly, reprehensible example that you would not want young kids to hear and learn from coming from -- a bona fide talk show host. MSNBC's rising talk show star progressive talker Ed Schultz has been suspended without pay for a week for a sexist, vulgar lash out comment aimed at a conservative talk show host … [Read more...] about MSNBC’s Ed Schultz Suspended For a Week: Issues on the Air Apology for Calling Laura Ingraham “a Right Wing Slut” (VIDEO) UPDATED